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Demography Forum and Report: Better Societies for Families and Older People

The Commission will organise its '2nd European Demography Forum offering policy makers and stakeholders from all over Europe an opportunity to discuss recent developments in the fields of active ageing and family policies.

In time for the Forum, the Commission will present the 2008 Demography Report which provides the latest facts and figures that are needed for assessing where Members States stand in responding to the challenges of demographic change.

The Commission will also present the results of a Eurobarometer on family life and the needs of an ageing population. The survey asked Europeans how they feel about their family life today, the problems they face and their opinions about policies that could help improve their situation. In addition, the needs of an ageing population are examined under various aspects (retirement, health, housing, volunteering).

Background

The ageing of the European population is no longer an abstract scenario describing a distant future. The baby boom started 60 years ago and the first baby boomers are now reaching retirement age. The EU's demographic development is thus reaching an important turning point. From now on, the population aged 60 years and above will be growing at the rate of 2 million people every year for the next 25 years. At the same time, the growth of the working age population is slowing rapidly and will stop altogether in about 6 years.

Employment rates of older people have already risen over recent years, reversing the past trend towards ever earlier retirement, but more needs to be done. By the age of sixty, only about 40% of men and 30% of women are still in employment. The Demography Report also describes the changing family and household patterns in the EU. The changes are significant and need to be taken into account in the modernisation of family policies.

According to the Eurobarometer the level of dissatisfaction with public support for families with children or caring for dependent older relatives was especially high.